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Morrinsville

Whether it’s a trip back in time at the Morrinsville museum or a journey into imagination and culture at the Wallace Gallery, this country town has a big personality and plenty to offer. Home to one of New Zealand’s great fashion moguls and a thriving dairy industry, Morrinsville offers a real slice of rural Waikato lifestyle.

Things To Do in Morrinsville

Nestled between the Kaimai Ranges and the Waikato River, Morrinsville is home to 7,000 people. Together with the nearby towns of Matamata and Te Aroha, it makes up one of New Zealand’s most fertile dairy farming areas. The town’s slogan, “Cream of the Country”, reflects the rich, fertile land that supports the dairy industry the Waikato region is famous for.

Wallace Gallery

Wallace Gallery

Built to house the largest collection of New Zealand contemporary art, the Wallace Gallery is the perfect place to find inspiration and educate yourself about NZ art.

Located on the town’s main street, The Wallace Gallery shows off some of the best art New Zealand has to offer. The gallery has three exhibition rooms; one dedicated to the James Wallace Arts Trust collection, which numbers over 6,000 pieces in its entirety. The other two rooms are dedicated to displaying work by New Zealand artists and the art of local community and school groups.

Morrinsville Museum

Take a trip back through history to see how Morrinsville came to be. Explore the Waikato region’s past through exhibits of traditional Maori tools, colonial children’s toys and blacksmith tools. The museum’s vast photographic collection will take you on a visual journey of the town’s beginnings.

Morrinsville’s history dates back to the mid-1800s and the Morrinsville museum is a great way to recapture those pioneering days. Learn about the town’s namesake Thomas Morrin and his journey to build a town capitalising on the newly built railways.

Annah Stretton shop and cafe

A 21-year career in fashion has put Annah Stretton on the global stage. Annah Stretton has based her operations in Morrinsville with the production and design department for Annah Stretton, Annah.S and Chameleon located on the corner of Thames and Market streets. They also share their premises with Café Frock - an indulgent place to have a coffee and a bite to eat after getting your fashion fix

Morrinsville Heritage trail

Starting at St Matthews Anglican Church, the 2.7km Morrinsville Heritage Trail is perfect for history buffs looking for things to do in Morrinsville. Take in tranquil Howie Park and historic McDonald’s Cottage, built in 1874 from heart kauri. Those keen to make a day of it can bring a picnic, otherwise the walk can be done in just over an hour. Either way, meandering through Morrinsville’s gardens, churches and historic buildings is the perfect way to really get a feel for this charming town.

Mega Cow, Morrinsville

Herd of Cows?

Visitors to Morrinsville will also be greeted by a colourful herd of cows. The ‘Herd of Cows?’ street art instalment highlights the town’s strong dairying heritage and growing art culture, with cows situated on streets throughout the Morrinsville’s main centre, including the 'Mega Cow' at the southern end of town. Read more and download a map here.

How far to:

Hamilton: 33km, 30 minutes

Auckland: 137km, 1 hour 35 minutes

Te Aroha: 22km, 20 minutes

Rotorua: 100km, 1 hour 19 minutes

Morrisville is also on the doorstep of the famous Hobbiton Movie Set, where you can revel in the rolling green hills that brought the Waikato region to silver screens around the world.

Te Aroha has long been home to the finest spas in the Waikato region. The mineral springs that flow from beneath Mount Te Aroha have been enjoyed by locals and visitors alike for more than 100 years, and the Te Aroha hot pools, baths and spas remain among the most popular things to do in Te Aroha today.